Feminine Hygiene Products

Are they really necessary?

Store shelves are lined with “feminine hygiene” products to kill germs and make you smell sweet and feel fresh. But most are loaded with chemicals, and these products may actually do more harm than good.

“Perfumed soaps, sprays, creams and washes can cause irritation of the vulva and vagina,” says gynecologist Helene Leonetti, M.D., of Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network.“A woman’s body has its own natural way of cleansing itself. Adding artificial ingredients not only irritates sensitive skin, it can break down the body’s defenses against infection.” Her suggestions for staying fresh the natural way:

• Wear underwear made of cotton or with a cotton crotch.
• Sleep without underwear.
• Don’t wear tight pants or pantyhose for long periods.
• Drink lots of water.
• Eat a healthy diet of natural and unprocessed foods, including vegetables, fruits and organic dairy and meats.
• Limit sugars and refined carbohydrates like white bread.
• When taking antibiotics, eat plain yogurt or take cranberry concentrate capsules to prevent urinary tract or yeast infections.
• Use an organic shampoo on pubic hair, and keep chemicals and perfumes away from the vagina.
• Don’t assume you need to douche regularly.

Vaginal discharge is part of the cleansing process, and a mild odor is normal, Leonetti says. See your doctor or nurse practitioner if you develop a strong odor or colored discharge.

Want to Know More? For added information on natural feminine hygiene, click here.

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